Oil threat for Bahamas 'not over'
By ALISON LOWE
Tribune Staff Reporter
alowe@tribunemedia.net:
A lead co-ordinator in the government's Gulf oil spill response team says that despite British Petroleum's success in stopping the oil gushing from the damaged well "the threat is not over" as far as the Bahamas is concerned.
Director of the National Emergency Management Agency, Captain Stephen Russell, who heads the National Oil Spill Contingency Committee, said the group has submitted a plan to continue monitoring any potential impact from the oil spill until the end of the year, at the earliest.
"We haven't slackened, we are keeping our eye on it," said Mr Russell yesterday morning. He noted that a team of experts set off on a second exploratory mission from Nassau to the Cay Sal Bank in the Bahama Banks on Monday, to continue taking samples and checking for any tar balls in Bahamian waters.
The team of scientists and environmentalists was scheduled to arrive in Cay Sal yesterday afternoon to begin their investigations.
Their visit comes just under a week after BP announced that after 85 days and the release of up to 184 million gallons of oil into the marine environment, it had successfully capped the leaking well, stopping the flow of crude.
Officials were cautious in their response to the news last Thursday that the placement of a 75-ton cap had successfully halted the flow of oil. US president Barack Obama called the development a "positive sign" but added, "We're still in the testing phase."
In the last few days some oil and gas has been detected around the well, raising concerns that the cap may not be withstanding the pressure from the oil within the well.
Hope
However, officials have expressed hope that the cap can largely contain the oil until relief wells are drilled which are expected to provide a permanent fix.
So far, no evidence of oil having reached Bahamian waters has been found. The spill has been accumulating in the Gulf of Mexico and along the southern coast of the United States since April 22, after the destruction of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig following an explosion at the site.
The oil rig was leased to British energy company BP at the time of the incident and the company has promised to pay legitimate claims for compensation stemming from the extensive damage that is resulting from the oil being released into the environment.
Mr Russell told The Tribune that officials in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Attorney General's Office continue to pursue the possibility of seeking compensation from the company for the Bahamas to cover the cost of efforts already undertaken by the government's Oil Spill Contingency Committee in response to the spill.
"It has been discussed at two levels locally, and at the CARICOM level, so we will see. We'll allow Foreign Affairs and the AG's office to see how we can engage BP either through the British Foreign Office or the US office. Likewise, we'll see CARICOM's approach," said Capt Russell.
July 21, 2010
tribune242
A political blog about Bahamian politics in The Bahamas, Bahamian Politicans - and the entire Bahamas political lot. Bahamian Blogger Dennis Dames keeps you updated on the political news and views throughout the islands of The Bahamas without fear or favor. Bahamian Politicians and the Bahamian Political Arena: Updates one Post at a time on Bahamas Politics and Bahamas Politicans; and their local, regional and international policies and perspectives.
Showing posts with label Gulf of Mexico oil spill Bahamas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Gulf of Mexico oil spill Bahamas. Show all posts
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Bahamas government will seek compensation from British Petroleum (BP) for all the pre-assessment, monitoring and any post oil spill clean-up costs
Bahamas govt confirms it will seek compensation from BP
By KARIN HERIG
Tribune Staff Reporter
kherig@tribunemedia.net:
THE Bahamas government has officially confirmed that it will be seeking compensation from British Petroleum (BP) following the disastrous oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico which could affect the Bahamas' shores.
Environment Minister Dr Earl Deveaux told The Tribune that his government will be seeking compensation for "all the pre-assessment, monitoring and any post spill clean-up."
This comes after a report released by the United States' National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) estimated that Cay Sal Bank and the Bimini Cays are 41 to 60 per cent likely to have shoreline impact from the spill for years to come.
The northwest coast of Grand Bahama, the report said, is 20 per cent likely to be affected, and Andros is less than one per cent likely to be affected.
In an interview earlier this month, Bahamas National Trust (BNT) Eric Carey had said he wants BP to foot the bill in advance.
And while NOAA has concluded that the oil spill most likely will not harm marine life in the Bahamas, Mr Carey said it is still unknown how the dispersants from the spill will affect the country's ecosystem.
The money the government will now be requesting from BP is expected to assist scientific testing and expeditions to monitor the situation.
The next expedition should set sail in about a week and Mr Carey said he hopes BP will cover the costs.
The oil company told the Associated Press on Sunday that the overall cost of dealing with the spill is now at $3.5 billion.
Some $165 million of that sum were paid to settle individual claims. So far, BP has received over 100,000 claims for compensation and made more than 50,000 payments.
It is unknown at this time how much money the Bahamas will be requesting from BP, nor is it clear when or if the oil company will pay out in this instance.
Meanwhile, as BP yesterday removed the containment cap currently in place over the blown-out oil well to replace it with a tighter fitting one, the Obama administration has issued a new offshore drilling ban after a previous moratorium order was overturned.
BP has stated that it believes this second cap will possibly stop the oil from gushing into the Gulf of Mexico.
The company said some oil will still leak out, but the tighter cap will enable them to capture it and funnel it up to the surface where collection ships await.
According to latest estimates, somewhere between 89 million and 179 million gallons of oil have spilled from BP's Deepwater Horizon rig 5,000ft below the ocean surface since an explosion on April 20 killed 11 people.
July 13, 2010
tribune242
By KARIN HERIG
Tribune Staff Reporter
kherig@tribunemedia.net:
THE Bahamas government has officially confirmed that it will be seeking compensation from British Petroleum (BP) following the disastrous oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico which could affect the Bahamas' shores.
Environment Minister Dr Earl Deveaux told The Tribune that his government will be seeking compensation for "all the pre-assessment, monitoring and any post spill clean-up."
This comes after a report released by the United States' National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) estimated that Cay Sal Bank and the Bimini Cays are 41 to 60 per cent likely to have shoreline impact from the spill for years to come.
The northwest coast of Grand Bahama, the report said, is 20 per cent likely to be affected, and Andros is less than one per cent likely to be affected.
In an interview earlier this month, Bahamas National Trust (BNT) Eric Carey had said he wants BP to foot the bill in advance.
And while NOAA has concluded that the oil spill most likely will not harm marine life in the Bahamas, Mr Carey said it is still unknown how the dispersants from the spill will affect the country's ecosystem.
The money the government will now be requesting from BP is expected to assist scientific testing and expeditions to monitor the situation.
The next expedition should set sail in about a week and Mr Carey said he hopes BP will cover the costs.
The oil company told the Associated Press on Sunday that the overall cost of dealing with the spill is now at $3.5 billion.
Some $165 million of that sum were paid to settle individual claims. So far, BP has received over 100,000 claims for compensation and made more than 50,000 payments.
It is unknown at this time how much money the Bahamas will be requesting from BP, nor is it clear when or if the oil company will pay out in this instance.
Meanwhile, as BP yesterday removed the containment cap currently in place over the blown-out oil well to replace it with a tighter fitting one, the Obama administration has issued a new offshore drilling ban after a previous moratorium order was overturned.
BP has stated that it believes this second cap will possibly stop the oil from gushing into the Gulf of Mexico.
The company said some oil will still leak out, but the tighter cap will enable them to capture it and funnel it up to the surface where collection ships await.
According to latest estimates, somewhere between 89 million and 179 million gallons of oil have spilled from BP's Deepwater Horizon rig 5,000ft below the ocean surface since an explosion on April 20 killed 11 people.
July 13, 2010
tribune242
Monday, June 21, 2010
Sightings of suspected oil in the seas around the Bahamas from the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico to be investigated
Scientists to investigate suspected oil sightings in Bahamian waters
By NATARIO McKENZIE
Tribune Staff Reporter
nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net:
SCIENTISTS and volunteers are expected to set out today on a five-day expedition to Cay Sal and Bimini to investigate sightings of suspected oil in the seas around the Bahamas from the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.
The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) scientists and volunteers will take sediment samples and test them on the Defence Force vessel HMS Bahamas to confirm or deny the presence of oil in Bahamian waters.
The scientists include leading marine ecologist Dr Ethan Freid and marine biologist Kathleen Sealy from the IMO.
Environment Minister Earl Deveaux said: "The group going to Cay Sal will continue any pre-impact assessment. This group will do a more detailed assessment than the first group.
"We are doing it to ensure that we have documented proof of the conditions that existed prior to the impact of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
"The likelihood of fresh oil coming to the Bahamas is indeed remote. The oil is approaching 60 days old from the first spill. We are, according to all the best scientific information, likely to get oil that is weathered in the form of tar balls. What we do not know about is the expanse of the dispersense and what impact they would have and that's why we want to document the conditions in advance of any impact from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill so we can measure it going forward."
According to Mr Deveaux, all the initial expenses for the pre-impact assessment is being handled through NEMA.
"The companies in Grand Bahama have in stock more than 30 per cent of any necessary equipment that we would use if we were required to respond to say, Cay Sal, Bimini, Freeport Harbor or West End. These are the proximate areas where the likelihood of land fall would first occur," Mr Deveaux said.
More than 1,000 people have volunteered to assist in the oil spill clean-up effort, said Mr Deveaux.
"I think the issue we would have would not be the number of persons willing to assist but how we would coordinate the level of preparedness to assist to make it most effective," Mr Deveaux said.
The Attorney General's office is exploring all legal options in the event the government has to seek recompense from any impact the BP oil disaster has on the Bahamas.
"We have taken the information we have to date, and the Attorney General's office is exploring all of legal options with respects to British Petroleum and the United Kingdom in the event we seek recompose from any disaster that hits the Bahamas. We hope that none does," the Minister added.
June 21, 2010
tribune242
By NATARIO McKENZIE
Tribune Staff Reporter
nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net:
SCIENTISTS and volunteers are expected to set out today on a five-day expedition to Cay Sal and Bimini to investigate sightings of suspected oil in the seas around the Bahamas from the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.
The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) scientists and volunteers will take sediment samples and test them on the Defence Force vessel HMS Bahamas to confirm or deny the presence of oil in Bahamian waters.
The scientists include leading marine ecologist Dr Ethan Freid and marine biologist Kathleen Sealy from the IMO.
Environment Minister Earl Deveaux said: "The group going to Cay Sal will continue any pre-impact assessment. This group will do a more detailed assessment than the first group.
"We are doing it to ensure that we have documented proof of the conditions that existed prior to the impact of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
"The likelihood of fresh oil coming to the Bahamas is indeed remote. The oil is approaching 60 days old from the first spill. We are, according to all the best scientific information, likely to get oil that is weathered in the form of tar balls. What we do not know about is the expanse of the dispersense and what impact they would have and that's why we want to document the conditions in advance of any impact from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill so we can measure it going forward."
According to Mr Deveaux, all the initial expenses for the pre-impact assessment is being handled through NEMA.
"The companies in Grand Bahama have in stock more than 30 per cent of any necessary equipment that we would use if we were required to respond to say, Cay Sal, Bimini, Freeport Harbor or West End. These are the proximate areas where the likelihood of land fall would first occur," Mr Deveaux said.
More than 1,000 people have volunteered to assist in the oil spill clean-up effort, said Mr Deveaux.
"I think the issue we would have would not be the number of persons willing to assist but how we would coordinate the level of preparedness to assist to make it most effective," Mr Deveaux said.
The Attorney General's office is exploring all legal options in the event the government has to seek recompense from any impact the BP oil disaster has on the Bahamas.
"We have taken the information we have to date, and the Attorney General's office is exploring all of legal options with respects to British Petroleum and the United Kingdom in the event we seek recompose from any disaster that hits the Bahamas. We hope that none does," the Minister added.
June 21, 2010
tribune242
Saturday, June 19, 2010
The National Oil Spill Committee is on alert as concerned citizens have reported sightings of what they believe to be oil sheens in Bahamian waters
Experts to probe oil spill reports
By MEGAN REYNOLDS
Tribune Staff Reporter
mreynolds@tribunemedia.net:
SIGHTINGS of suspected oil in the seas around the Bahamas from the spill in the Gulf of Mexico will be investigated by scientists setting out on a five-day expedition to Cay Sal and Bimini on Monday.
The team of IMO scientists and volunteers will take sediment samples and test them on the Defence Force vessel HMS Bahamas to confirm or deny the presence of oil in Bahamian waters.
The National Oil Spill Committee is on alert as concerned citizens have reported sightings of what they believe to be oil sheens in Bahamian waters.
Director of the Bahamas Environment, Science and Technology Commission (BEST) Philip Weech said the dark patches spotted in the ocean are more likely to be large clumps of dark seaweed drifting in the ocean than the oil slicks in the Gulf of Mexico, which they resemble.
"If there is oil in the Bahamas yet, we don't know," Mr Weech said.
"We have been getting a lot of calls and concerns of that nature and many are coming from the fact that people are seeing what they would normally see when they fly over, which is seaweed, which looks like what you see on the international news, but what we expect to see here would be weathered black tar balls.
"We are almost 800 miles away from the oil head so it's going to be a completely different scenario."
Oil sheens containing thousands of tar balls have hit the south coast of the United States in Mississippi, Louisianna, Alabama and Florida, and some reports claim these sheens have already left the Gulf.
The National Oil Spill Committee will spend five days in Cay Sal Banks, the westernmost point of the Bahamas 145km west of Andros Island, and Bimini, collecting oceanic and terrestrial samples to test on the RBDF vessel and determine whether or not oil has left the Gulf.
They will be assisted by trained volunteers from the College of the Bahamas, the Royal Bahamas Defence Force, the Department of Marine Resources, other government departments and environmental protection agencies who will continue sampling work in the northern Abaco cays and Grand Bahama.
More samples will be taken on the slower, more detailed exercise than the previous two-day expedition to Cay Sal last month which showed no signs of oil from the spill and have been stored in a tamper-free US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) certified laboratory.
Committee spokesman and Bahamas National Trust (BNT) director Eric Carey said: "We are hearing so many conflicting reports, depending what website you look at, so we have spent a lot of time trying to get the best information available to us.
"One source said oil might be exiting the Gulf of Mexico in the form of tar balls already, so we are really anxious to see what the team finds when they get to Cay Sal, because some of the reports suggest tar might already be heading there."
The team of scientists include leading marine ecologist Dr Ethan Freid and marine biologist Kathleen Sealy from the International Maritime Organisation (IMO).
June 19, 2010
tribune242
By MEGAN REYNOLDS
Tribune Staff Reporter
mreynolds@tribunemedia.net:
SIGHTINGS of suspected oil in the seas around the Bahamas from the spill in the Gulf of Mexico will be investigated by scientists setting out on a five-day expedition to Cay Sal and Bimini on Monday.
The team of IMO scientists and volunteers will take sediment samples and test them on the Defence Force vessel HMS Bahamas to confirm or deny the presence of oil in Bahamian waters.
The National Oil Spill Committee is on alert as concerned citizens have reported sightings of what they believe to be oil sheens in Bahamian waters.
Director of the Bahamas Environment, Science and Technology Commission (BEST) Philip Weech said the dark patches spotted in the ocean are more likely to be large clumps of dark seaweed drifting in the ocean than the oil slicks in the Gulf of Mexico, which they resemble.
"If there is oil in the Bahamas yet, we don't know," Mr Weech said.
"We have been getting a lot of calls and concerns of that nature and many are coming from the fact that people are seeing what they would normally see when they fly over, which is seaweed, which looks like what you see on the international news, but what we expect to see here would be weathered black tar balls.
"We are almost 800 miles away from the oil head so it's going to be a completely different scenario."
Oil sheens containing thousands of tar balls have hit the south coast of the United States in Mississippi, Louisianna, Alabama and Florida, and some reports claim these sheens have already left the Gulf.
The National Oil Spill Committee will spend five days in Cay Sal Banks, the westernmost point of the Bahamas 145km west of Andros Island, and Bimini, collecting oceanic and terrestrial samples to test on the RBDF vessel and determine whether or not oil has left the Gulf.
They will be assisted by trained volunteers from the College of the Bahamas, the Royal Bahamas Defence Force, the Department of Marine Resources, other government departments and environmental protection agencies who will continue sampling work in the northern Abaco cays and Grand Bahama.
More samples will be taken on the slower, more detailed exercise than the previous two-day expedition to Cay Sal last month which showed no signs of oil from the spill and have been stored in a tamper-free US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) certified laboratory.
Committee spokesman and Bahamas National Trust (BNT) director Eric Carey said: "We are hearing so many conflicting reports, depending what website you look at, so we have spent a lot of time trying to get the best information available to us.
"One source said oil might be exiting the Gulf of Mexico in the form of tar balls already, so we are really anxious to see what the team finds when they get to Cay Sal, because some of the reports suggest tar might already be heading there."
The team of scientists include leading marine ecologist Dr Ethan Freid and marine biologist Kathleen Sealy from the International Maritime Organisation (IMO).
June 19, 2010
tribune242
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